The zoo remains open despite the lock out, management said.
In a communiqué issued Monday morning, management said the lock-out was used to “ensure the stability of the welfare of the animals” and to “ensure (scheduling) predictability for the managers carrying out the work of striking employees.”
Granby Zoo director Paul Gosselin said the possibility of an unlimited strike by employees made it “impossible to efficiently operate under the threat of an interruption of service at any moment.”
The zoo remains open despite the lock out, management said. However “it is possible the strike will have slight impacts on the experience” of visitors, so the admission price has been dropped from $59.99 to $39.99
Contract talks are being held to renew the collective agreement of 130 veterinary and animal care technicians, mechanics, guides and administrative personnel. The last contract expired last Dec. 31.
The workers first walked off the job on July 9 before launching a 10-day strike on July 20. The union is calling for better job stability as well as improved work-life balance.
Management at the zoo noted that it had made an overall contract offer last July 22 and hoped to “rapidly come to an agreement mutually advantageous to all parties.”